In this issue

	ECOS Issue 148

Focus

New vehicle horizons After our decades-long love affair with petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles, escalating environmental concerns, the recent oil-price spike and the global financial crisis mean the era of greener cars and trucks is fast gearing up. Download Article

Old buildings take the green lead Updating existing building stock to become more energy efficient is the most effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the built sector – and it pays off in many ways. Download Article

Sea-level rise: the view from ground zero In our region, a sea-level rise of one metre would effectively put the small Pacific Island nations of Kiribati and Tuvalu at ground zero, a prospect that raises a host of humanitarian issues for Australia and New Zealand. Download Article

Engaging visions of change Alexandra de Blas reports on the Engaging Visions project which is documenting the environmental transformation taking place in the Murray–Darling Basin and how communities are coping with that change. Download Article

Stand-out progress from our corporate first-movers In May, the National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development meets for the 10th time. More than ever business leadership is needed to help us all address the challenges around climate change, water availability and species loss. Download Article

Putting a value on ecosystem goods and services How much is a clean beach or pristine rainforest worth? Putting a value on ecosystem services is more than an analytical exercise. Download Article

Clean technology spin-outs on the rise at CSIRO The market pull for 'clean' – or environmentally friendly – technologies has grown pending the introduction of the Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) and a global move to formalise carbon markets. Download Article

Achieving both economic growth and reduced environmental pressures in the current financial climate During arguably the worst global economic recession since the 1930s, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen later this year to negotiate a Post Kyoto Framework and targets for decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. Download Article